Malathion Resistance in Drosophila melanogaster (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Malathion resistance developed in a Drosophila melanogaster population that has been exposed to malathion for almost 20 years. Genetic analyses showed that malathion resistance in this population is under control of several genes that are located on the first, second and third chromosome. The second chromosome contributes the most to resistance; the factor(s) involved may be (partly) dominant or additive and additional recessive genes may also be present on this chromosome. Although to a lesser extent, the third chromosome also contributes to resistance, the factors being mostly recessive or only expressed in interaction with the second chromosome. On the Xchromosome, a factor with a very small effect on resistance was observed.